Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the endorsement of dozens of faith leaders in Iowa, just days ahead of that state’s important caucuses. The DeSantis campaign hopes that the support, as well as the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), will give him a boost at the first GOP nominating contest.
DeSantis announced the support Friday, with a promise from the Christian leaders to caucus for him this coming week. Former President Donald Trump currently has a significant lead in the state, according to recent polls. However, the former president lost the Iowa caucuses in 2016 to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
JUST IN: DeSantis gains 50 new endorsements from pastors, faith leaders days before pivotal Iowa caucushttps://t.co/90thfkeRe6
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) January 12, 2024
DeSantis’ new endorsements came about a week after the Trump campaign announced that more than 300 faith leaders in the state endorsed the former president.
DeSantis also dispelled rumors that he would drop out of the presidential race if he lost the caucuses Tuesday.
Earlier this week, DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) squared off in a debate not attended by the former president.
He called the rumors “totally made up.”
The governor’s statement came despite some polls showing him in third place in the race, behind both Trump and Haley.
The rumor had been discussed by the former president, who also called DeSantis and Haley both “not good.”
DeSantis said that the rumors were mentioned so that people would not go out into the cold to vote.
The governor also said that he believed that the former president had taken his candidacy more personally.
The Tuesday caucuses will likely occur during record-low temperatures if the current weather forecasts hold.
The high in Des Moines on Monday is reportedly -4 degrees Fahrenheit. There is also a substantial wind chill expected for that day.
Trump promised to show up in Iowa, despite what he called among the worst weather predicted in history.
DeSantis appeared at an event during a snowstorm in the state, despite the weather. Presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy also promised to hold an in-person event, but the weather forced him to hold a remote event instead.
